THE LIMITATIONS OF USING MOUSE UTERINE WEIGHT AS AN ASSAY OF OESTROGEN ANTAGONISM

Abstract

ABSTRACT Oestrogen antagonists were tested by subcutaneous injection for their ability to reduce the weight of uteri of ovariectomized mice continuously stimulated by drinking a solution of oestrone. Only a limited weight reduction was achieved, even with high doses or repeated injections of the antagonists. This limitation could not be accounted for by the uterotrophic action of the antagonists themselves. The narrow range of weight reduction, together with the variability of the animals, made assays of relative activity unsatisfactory.